Dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries, this Gerrit Rietveld-designed building houses the largest collection of the artist’s work in the world. It’s just around the corner from the Rijksmuseum and forms part of Amsterdam’s Holy Trinity of culture alongside the Stedelijk Museum next door. The post-impressionist painter is one of the most influential figures in the history of Western art, and his work remains as captivating today as it was in the 19th century.

This is Amsterdam’s greatest, grandest, and most classical museum, with a huge collection of Dutch art dating back to the Golden Age. There’s over 8,000 bits of art and history on display, over 1 million objects, a small but mighty Asian collection, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a café on site. Plus the guided tours are ace. Need we say more?

The ‘Museum of Our Lord in the Attic’ was once Amsterdam’s best-kept secret. The reason? This former church, spread across the top three floors of a 17th-century canal house, was where Catholics would come to pray after public displays of worship were banned by the Alteration of 1578. The church has been beautifully preserved and offers brilliant insight into 17th-century life and religious persecution through the ages.

This 17th-Century canal house, where Anne Frank, her family and four others hid from the Nazis for two years, is now a museum and educational centre. There’s a permanent exhibition on the life and times of Anne, and you can visit the cramped ‘secret annexe’ they called home. The museum is a fundamental part of 17th century history, and a chance to see Anne’s words come to life. The house is a chilling reminder of the Second World War and a moving testament to the her bravery and optimism.

With a rich history as a trading nation, the Dutch appreciate bargaining and value for money. Albert Cuyp Markt, in the heart of De Pijp, is the place to go to observe locals at their bantering, bartering best. The street-length market has an incredible range of food, clothes, knick-knacks and souvenirs. For fresh fish, chicken, meat and veg, it’s pretty hard to beat. It’s also a great place to meander, soak up the atmosphere and mingle with genuine Amsterdammers.

One of Amsterdam’s must-do activities, though a cliché, is still the best way to explore the city. Sure, Amsterdam’s bikes are iconic, but a canal tour requires zero physical effort, so you can finally relax. There are many tour operators with boats, most of which depart from around Centraal. There’s not much difference between most operators, but it’s worth going on a longer tour that also heads out onto the IJ (the best ones are around 75 minutes). Oh, and there's cocktail cruises too.

This is Amsterdam’s original microbrewery, quaintly housed in a working windmill, is still among the city’s finest. They’ve been pulling superb blonde beers, pilsners and IPAs since 1985. We hate to point out the obvious, but a trip here will lead you to beer heaven. The hoppy libations are served up in small glasses, so you should be able to taste a decent range without hitting the deck. If you’re visiting in warmer weather, grab a seat on the terrace and and nibble on traditional bar snacks.

The lungs of the city, Vondelpark was once the only public park in the world where one could legally barbecue, smoke joints, and have sex. The latter has since been outlawed (again), but there’s still a relaxed vibe to this green giant’s vast open spaces and wooded trails. Locals come here to run, cycle, play sports or chill, and there are plenty of activities for those looking to make a day of it. On a sunny day, it feels like Vondelpark is the centre of Amsterdam.

This retro arcade is situated in a warehouse in Amsterdam Noord, which is easily accessible with a free ferry from behind Centraal Station. Blast Galaxy contains over 100 machines, ranging from old-school classics to new consoles, like the Nintendo Switch. In other words, it’s a gamer’s paradise. Once you’ve paid your entry price, all the machines are free-to-play. Plus there's reasonably priced food and drink, too.

What began life as an old tram depot is now known as De Hallen, a cultural hub in the heart of the Oud-West. Home to a cinema, boutique shops, a hotel, and a food hall, it’s an ideal place to go for some top-quality entertainment. Feeling peckish? Take your pick from delectable dim sum, delicious Dutch meatballs, stupendous sushi, kick-ass smoky barbecue and much more. If the sun’s out, park yourself on a bench outside. Is it a rainy afternoon? Then catch a movie!